SAN DIEGO, CA- Organics Unlimited wrapped up 2016 with an impressive commitment to its sustainability and charitable initiatives. Beyond its decade-long, $2 million dollar program, the GROW Fund, which invests in communities surrounding its farms in Mexico and Ecuador, the company announced it made substantial donations to San Diego food banks.

“If our organic bananas are too ripe to distribute to grocery store customers in perfect condition, I would rather donate that product to those who need it instead of risk the product not reaching customers in time,” said Mayra Velazquez de León, President of Organics Unlimited and GROW, according to a press release. “We are able to help families with food insecurity by providing them healthy, organic bananas, and at the same time we are minimizing the amount of wasted product. Our partnerships with local San Diego food banks help us stay committed to being a sustainable company that gives back to our communities.”

In 2016, Organics Unlimited donated healthy organic bananas to both the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Feeding America San Diego. When shipments of organic bananas arrive at the Organics Unlimited warehouse in San Diego, boxes of fruit can sometimes be imperfect for distribution to retail customers but perfect for immediate distribution and enjoyment to beneficiaries of local food banks.

In addition to product donations to food banks, the GROW Fund, a nonprofit program developed by Organics Unlimited, allows the organic banana company to provide funds to organizations such as Children International, Project Amigo, Environmental Health Coalition and more. Over the past decade, through retailer and distributor support, GROW organic banana purchases have raised over $2 million in aid for communities near Organics Unlimited banana farms in Mexico and Ecuador. According to the website, these funds empower children and adults in these communities by providing educational, medical, and economic support. A percentage derived from the purchase of each box of GROW organic bananas is earmarked for the GROW Fund.

The company grows bananas and operates its business with sustainability in mind by caring for the environment as well as the communities near its growing operations. As previously reported, GROW by Organics Unlimited has supported Produce for Kids since 2014 in the nonprofit’s efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles.

How else will the fresh produce industry be able to positively impact communities around the world? Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for all the latest.

Organics Unlimited